Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

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Bruce Rondon's command of English isn't anywhere close to that of his 100-m.p.h.-plus fastball.

Bullpen partner Joaquin Benoit served as his translator Thursday at the start of the Tigers' winter caravan. I asked Benoit to ask Rondon if the 22-year-old prospective closer thought that the most important characteristic of his new responsibilities is the ability to quickly forget.

Rondon didn't say a word after hearing Benoit's relay of my question.

He didn't have to. His eyes widened. He laughed while briskly nodding his head affirmatively.

Nobody knows how good Rondon might be as the top closing option for a team with a World Series-or-failure edict until everyone sees how bad he can be -- and how quickly he responds from those depths. The best closers also are the best amnesiacs.

Rondon has the physical tools of a dominating closer, capable of flashing what assistant general manager Al Avila called Thursday "an easy 100" -- a relatively effortless fastball without physical strain.

Rondon's delivery isn't as "violent" as Joel Zumaya's. Zumaya couldn't stay healthy. Rondon also has a paralyzing slider that -- when under control -- has sent hitters back to the dugout cursing the unfairness of such a repertoire.

But closing is as much mental as mechanical.

Rondon initially was a catcher when the Tigers signed him at 16 in his native Venezuela. Avila said scouts weren't impressed with Rondon's lack of mobility and limited offensive output.

"But we knew he had a cannon for an arm," Avila said. "We moved him to pitcher with the idea that he could be an impactful force out of the bullpen. You could say his mechanics were crude at the beginning. We knew we could improve that through time, but what really impressed us was his lack of hesitancy in wanting the ball in a critical moment. That's the mind-set you look for in a potential closer."

Catcher Alex Avila simplified the explanation of the "closer's mentality."

"Pardon my bluntness," he said, "but the best closers just don't give a crap. You don't care who you're facing. You don't care who's criticizing you. You don't care about what just happened yesterday."

Rondon is happy the Tigers have faith in him in assuming Jose Valverde's ninth-inning responsibilities. But the decision is as much predicated on cost as confidence. The Tigers were reluctant to pay more than $10 million annually for a veteran specialist on the free-agent market, such as Rafael Soriano.

It's a huge gamble.

"As long as I've been here," said starter Justin Verlander, "Jim Leyland's done a great job of putting guys in the best position possible to maximize their strengths. I trust those making the decisions here. Leyland's not going to put him in a position where he couldn't succeed if he wasn't confident that he could do the job."

It's the nature vs. nurture debate.

Are excellent closers born, are or they bred?

"It's probably a combination of both, but it probably leans more to those who are just more naturally built mentally and physically for the responsibility," said pitching coach Jeff Jones. "The greatest learning tool available remains adversity. That's not to say I want him to go through too much of it. But we'll all be interested in how he responds when he gives up the big hit and loses the game -- because it's going to happen."

Few will care that Rondon can't comfortably grasp English as long as his 100-m.p.h. fastball speaks volumes.